L-shaped steel element joint

ABSTRACT

An LI-shaped steel element joint includes a base plate having a first through hole and multiple second through holes and multiple L-shaped gusset plates each formed on a corresponding one of four corners of the base plate and having a corner facing the corresponding corner of the base plate. A space is defined between a side of each of the L-shaped gusset plates and a peripheral side of the base plate for corresponding to a thickness of the I-shaped steel element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a joint, and more particularly to thejoint for joining L-shaped steel elements to reinforce the impactresistance of those elements.

2. Description of Related Art

Currently, the common techniques used in construction sites involvereinforced concrete (RC) and steel reinforced concrete (SRC). Eachtechnique has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on whatfactors are considered. Despite the advantages and disadvantages betweenthe two techniques, high rise buildings are normally built with the SRCtechnique and buildings with lower heights are built with the RCtechnique.

In an SRC building, it is noted that when two L-shaped beam (column)elements are joined, e.g. two elements are horizontally connected toeach other, bolts are extended through a steel connecting plate and intowings of each of the two beam elements. Thereafter, welding is carriedout to permanently secure engagement between the two L-shaped beamelements. Further, when a beam is connected to a column, e.g. twoelements are vertically connected to each other, bolts are first used tosecure the two L-shaped elements and then welding is performed topermanently secure engagement between the two L-shaped elements.

Although in an SRC or an RC building, the L-shaped elements do provide alightweight but durable impact resistance, the wing parts of theL-shaped elements cannot provide enough resistance such that deformationand breakage may easily happen to the joined L-shaped elements when animpact occurs to the structure.

In order to overcome the shortcoming, a different joining structure isdeveloped, in which four L-shaped steel plates are used to form asquare. However, due to the length limitation in the production of theL-shaped steel plate, a joint is still required to reach the designatedlength especially when a beam or a column of a structure is being built.Due to the lack of a proper joint for connection of the L-shaped steelplates, impact resistance of such structure is weak. Thus most currentstructures still apply the L-shaped elements. However, theaforementioned disadvantage of the I-shaped elements is a major drawbackfor such a technique.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide animproved joint for joint I-shaped elements to mitigate theaforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improvedjoint to join two L-shaped elements so as to improve the impactresistance of the joined two L-shaped elements.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1A is a schematic view showing a different structure of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the third embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing a different structure of the thirdembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view showing the application of the joint ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side plan view showing that the joint of thepresent invention is used in construction of a column; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic side plan view showing that the joint of thepresent invention is used in construction of a beam.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 1A, the joint (10A) constructed inaccordance with the present invention includes a rectangular base plate(11A) defining therethrough a first through hole (12A), second throughholes (13A) selectively communicating with the first through hole (12A)(as shown in FIG. 1A) and anchoring holes (14A) and gusset plates (20A)each formed on a corresponding one of four corners of the base plate(11A) and having at least one assembly hole (21A). A space (22A) isdefined between a side plate of each of the gusset plates (20A) and aperipheral side of the base plate (11A). Each gusset plate (20A) has anL-shaped cross section and a corner facing the corresponding corner ofthe base plate (11A).

When the joint (10A) of this embodiment is applied in a building, wiresare able to pass through the first through holes (12A) and liquidconcrete is poured through the second through holes (13A). Further,anchoring elements (not shown) are able to extend through the anchoringholes (14A) to fixedly mount the joint of this embodiment into theground.

With reference to FIG. 2, the joint (10B) constructed in accordance withthe present invention includes a rectangular base plate (11B) definingtherethrough a first through hole (12B) and gusset plates (20A) eachformed on a corresponding one of four corners of the base plate (11B)and having at least one assembly hole (21B). A space (22B) is definedbetween a side plate of each of the gusset plates (20B) and a peripheralside of the base plate (11B). Each gusset plate (20B) has an L-shapedcross section and a corner facing the corresponding corner of the baseplate (11B).

When the joint (10B) of this embodiment is applied in a building, wiresand liquid concrete are able to pass through the first through holes(12B). It is further noted that the gusset plates (20B) extend fromdifferent directions from the base plate (11B) in this embodiment. AnL-shaped steel element (31) having a thickness the same as that of thespace (22B) is able to be mounted on the base plate (11B) with thecorner of the steel plate (31) mated with the corner of the gusset plate(20B).

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 3A, it is noted that the joint (I OC) ofthe present invention includes a substantially rectangular base plate(11C) defining therethrough a first through hole (12C), multiple secondthrough holes (13C) selectively communicating with the first throughhole (12C) (as shown in FIG. 3A) and gusset plates (20C) each having acorner mated with a corresponding one of four corners of the base plate(11C), wherein a distal side of the gusset plate (20C) is flush with abottom side of the base plate (11C). In this embodiment, the gussetplates (20C) extend toward one direction from the base plate (11C).

In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the gusset plates (20C) extendfrom the base plate (11C) toward two different directions.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, when the joint of the present inventionis in application in a structure for column construction, the joint(10A) in the first embodiment and having the anchoring holes (14A) isfirst fixedly mounted into the ground via anchoring elements, e.g.bolts. Then an L-shaped steel element (31) is securely connected to twoside walls of each of the gusset plates (20A) of the first embodiment.When the length of the column is not enough and further length isrequired, the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is applied, wherein the gussetplates (20B) extending downward from the base plate (10B) are securelyconnected to the L-shaped steel element (31) which extends upward fromthe base plate (10A). Then additional L-shaped steel elements areapplied to securely connect to gusset plates (20B) extending upward fromthe base plate (10B). As a consequence the length of the column isincreased. Further, in order to avoid the wires becoming contaminated bythe liquid concrete, a tube (32) may be inserted into the first throughhole (12B) for extension of the wires, as shown in FIG. 5. It is notedthat the first through hole (12B) and the second through holes (13B) arecombined to become one big through hole.

It is to be noted that in order to accomplish the objective of “lightbeam and strong column”, a screen (33) is attached onto the beam (30)and the liquid concrete is spread over the screen (33) so that theoverall weight of the beam (30) is reduced.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrativeonly, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape,size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention tothe full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms inwhich the appended claims are expressed.

1. An L-shaped steel element joint comprising: a substantiallyrectangular base plate having a first through hole and multiple secondthrough holes; and multiple L-shaped gusset plates each formed on acorresponding one of four corners of the base plate and having a cornerfacing the corresponding corner of the base plate, wherein a space isdefined between a side of each of the L shaped gusset plates and aperipheral side of the base plate for corresponding to a thickness ofthe I-shaped steel element, wherein the gusset plates are extended awayfrom the base plate in a first direction.
 2. The joint as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the first through hole is communicated with the secondthrough holes.
 3. An L-shaped steel element joint comprising: asubstantially rectangular base plate having a first through hole andmultiple second through holes; and multiple L-shaped gusset plates eachformed on a corresponding one of four corners of the base plate andhaving a corner facing the corresponding corner of the base plate,wherein a space is defined between a side of each of the L-shaped gussetplates and a peripheral side of the base plate for corresponding to athickness of the I-shaped steel element, wherein the gusset plates areextended away from the base plate in two different directions.
 4. Thejoint as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first through hole iscommunicated with the second through holes.
 5. An L-shaped steel elementjoint comprising: a substantially rectangular base plate having a firstthrough hole and multiple second through holes; and multiple L-shapedgusset plates each formed on a corresponding one of four corners of thebase plate and having a corner engaging with the corresponding corner ofthe base plate, wherein a distal side of each of the gusset plates isflush with a peripheral side of the base plate, wherein the gussetplates are extended away from the base plate in a first direction. 6.The joint as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first through hole iscommunicated with the second through holes.
 7. An L-shaped steel elementjoint comprising: a substantially rectangular base plate having a firstthrough hole and multiple second through holes; and multiple L-shapedgusset plates each formed on a corresponding one of four corners of thebase plate and having a corner engaging with the corresponding corner ofthe base plate, wherein a distal side of each of the gusset plates isflush with a peripheral side of the base plate, wherein the gussetplates are extended away from the base plate in two differentdirections.
 8. The joint as claimed in claim 7, wherein the firstthrough hole is communicated with the second through holes.